ELPT-English Learner Prg Teacher

English Learner Program Teacher (ELPT)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 350,000 students in 600 schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Job Summary:The English Learner Program Teacher (ELPT) coordinates the EL program, provides instructional support to teachers of ELs, and serves in an advisory capacity to school administration and families to ensure equity, compliance, and academic excellence for all English Learners.]

The English Learner Program Teacher will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

Typical Duties/Responsibilities:

Program Coordination

• Coordinate administration of mandated State-prescribed Screener (e.g., WIDA Screener, WIDA Screener for Kindergarten, Pre-IPT) within 30 days of enrollment at the start of the school year and 14 days of enrollment thereafter

• Enter State-prescribed Screener results in Aspen

• Review EL rosters and ACCESS reports to ensure ELs are appropriately placed/transitioned

• Coordinate distribution of CPS Parent Notification Letters generated from Aspen along with translated versions on the Employee Intranet

• Collaborate with special education staff to ensure ELs with IEPs are serviced appropriately and service delivery model numbers are entered accurately in SSM

• Update EL profiles in Aspen in a timely manner

• Coordinate administration of ACCESS testing within mandated time frame and submit required reports to Student Assessment (e.g., Not Tested Reasons)

• Maintain annual documentation of bilingual/ESL staff participation of two State-mandated EL PD sessions

• Coordinate and monitor completion of required documentation for EL Program Reviews

• Assist school administration in submission of all required OMME forms in a timely manner (e.g., EL summer program enrollment, etc.)

• Attend required ELPT trainings and disseminate information to administrators, teachers of ELs, and general program staff

• Monitor progress for Transition (T1-T4) students, students with a parent refusal, and current ELs to ensure additional supports and interventions can be provided if needed

• Collaborate with testing coordinator regarding District assessments in which ELs participate, particularly around using appropriate EL testing accommodations

Instructional

• Work with administration to support all teachers of ELs. Supports may include but are not limited to:

  • Participating on the school ILT representing ELs

  • Collaborating with classroom teachers, TCT, core departments, etc., regarding curriculum/instructional supports and differentiation

  • Assisting with developing and creating standard-based (CCSS & WIDA) unit/lesson plans

  • Reviewing and collaborating in the selection of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) interventions for ELs

  • Supporting teachers with differentiating EL instruction and assessments

  • Collaborating with bilingual/ESL teachers in aligning instruction with CCSS and WIDA ELD

  • Sharing current research and best practices around EL instruction with faculty

Advisory

• Provide EL placement recommendations to the principal

• Support family engagement and parent engagement efforts at the school to be fully inclusive of parents/guardians of ELs. The ELPT can support the administration with vetting interpretation vendors or updating the posted list of interpreters representing the home languages in the school, but the ELPT is not required to provide interpretation or translation services themselves.

• Facilitate establishment and operation of Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC):

  • Ensure required EL Program of information is presented to parents at initial BAC meeting

  • Hold BAC position elections and submit to OMME

  • Ensure timely submission of documents (See BAC Advisory Handbook for details)

  • Ensure that BAC officers approve a spending plan for BAC funds

  • Ensure timely reimbursements and expense submissions for BAC funds

• Provide guidance to teachers and principals regarding program implementation

• Collaborate with school administration in all areas related to ELs

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the English Learner Program Teacher must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Must possess the appropriate Illinois State Board of Education issued educator license with a Bilingual and/or ESL Endorsement*

• Successful completion of all student teaching requirements as well as all course work required to obtain the appropriate teaching license(s) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Share CPS and OMME’s Vision and Mission

• Knowledge of standards (e.g., WIDA ELD, CCSS, etc.)

• Understanding of district policies and procedures for ELs

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Ability to promote high-quality instruction for all ELs

• Ability to advocate equity and respect for all EL cultures and languages represented in the school

Residency Requirement: As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.